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Air flight barotrauma and meningitis: causality seems real

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 January 2020

O Džupová  and
J Beneš
O Džupová*
Affiliation:
Department of Infectious Diseases, Charles University in Prague, Third Faculty of Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
J Beneš
Affiliation:
Department of Infectious Diseases, Charles University in Prague, Third Faculty of Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
*
Author for correspondence: Dr Olga Džupová, Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Na Bulovce, Budinova 2, 180 81 Prague, Czech Republic E-mail: olga.dzupova@lf3.cuni.cz Fax: +42 0266 082 707
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Abstract

Background

Barotrauma to the middle-ear cavity and paranasal sinuses is a relatively common flight-related health problem. Occasionally, it may result in severe mechanical or infectious intracranial complications; these have been rarely reported to date.

Objective

Four cases of acute bacterial meningitis following air travel are presented, and its pathogenesis is briefly described.

Conclusion

Neurological symptoms occurring after air flight should prompt proper investigation. Otitis media and sinusitis are common primary focuses of bacterial meningitis. Severe complications of air flight barotrauma may be underreported.

Keywords

MeningitisBarotraumaAir Travel
Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 134 , Issue 2 , February 2020 , pp. 184 - 186
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited, 2020

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Footnotes

Dr O Džupová takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

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